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Getting Started:
Projects Based Learning
Wando High School
PD October 28, 2015
Chris Turpin H222/H230

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Why? The Research
The

experience of thousands of
teachers across all grade levels and
subject areas, backed by research,
confirms that PBL is an effective and
enjoyable way to learn and students
develop deeper learning competencies
required for success in college, career,
and civic life.
The Buck Institute for Education

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Why? The Research
Boaler

(2002) compared student

mathematics achievement in two similar
British secondary schools, one using
traditional instruction and the other using
project-based instruction.

After three years, students in the projectbased-learning school significantly

outperformed the traditional-school students
in mathematics skills as well as conceptual
and applied knowledge the project-basedlearning school, three times as many students
passed the national exam.

Association for Supervision and Curriculum

Development

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Why? The Research
The

Cognition and Technology Group at

Vanderbilt University (1992) evaluated the
effects of a series of video-based adventure
simulations it developed. "The Adventures of
Jasper Woodbury" provides a structure for
students to work collaboratively on simulated
real-world problems that require applying
mathematical knowledge and reasoning.

Compared

with a control group, students who

used the Vanderbilt series scored higher in
solving word problems and in planning.
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development

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Why? The Research
(The

research) found that experience with

projects reduced student math anxiety and
resulted in more positive attitudes toward
math.

Boaler

also found positive effects on equity:

The link between performance and student
economic level disappeared in the projectbased school and increased in the traditional
school.

Association for Supervision and Curriculum

Development

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But: The Research...
These

studies suggest that project-based learning,

when fully realized, can improve student learning.

However,

the research also underscores how difficult it

is to implement project-based learning well.

Together

these findings suggest caution in embracing

this practice unless the conditions for success are in
place, including strong school support, access to
well-developed projects, and a collaborative
culture for teachers and students.

Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development

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And then theres this

On my recent site visits in Greenville and Lexington 1 and

5 school districts, the effectiveness of project-based
learning was quite evident. I saw very little lecture and lots
of students working diligently in collaborative teams- even
until the very end of the class period. Students were not
"packing up" and standing around waiting for a bell. They
were highly engaged and involved. The students seemed
to have accepted responsibility for their own learning.

I also saw some very effective curriculum integration

across content areas. I will share more later but do think
we need to think hard about how to do that better at
Wando.
Lucy Beckham, Executive Principal Wando/CCSD

So how can we get

started?

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Group time

Website: www.mrturpinsclasspage.weebly.com

PowerPoints and Presentations Tab (at the top)

In your groups, read your prompt and answer the question

being asked...

From the list on the following slide, choose a product.

In 15 minutes were going to come back together and

present each of the products...

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Product Possibilities

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What is Project Based Learning?
A systematic teaching method that
engages students in learning essential
knowledge and life-enhancing skills
through an extended, studentinfluenced inquiry process structured
around complex, authentic questions
and carefully designed products and
tasks.

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Roles: Teacher and Student
Traditional Classroom
Teacher

Role:

Lecturer
Center of learning
Depositor of information

Student

Role:

Receiver of information
Learning is within the
teacher-box most of the
time

PBL Classroom
Teacher

Role:

Coach

Nurturer

Guide

Facilitator

Student

Role:

Student centered approach

ACTIVELY asking questions

Student responsible for learning

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Teacher Statement:
First
6

Try: Flop but it was ok.

Things:
1. Set Clear Goals
2. Over Plan
3. Make Students Accountable for Their
Time
4. Give Concrete Deadlines for Products
5. Share Rubrics in Advance
6. Reflect on What You Are Doing

Ok so, how do I start?

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Easy Start VERY small.

Look ahead to your next unit, your next standard and

decide what might be interesting to the kids.

Based on what you plan for them to know, or what the

Standard asks them to know write a few leading questions
or statements

Then decide what is managable for them to get done and in

what kind of time frame you are able to offer them.

IT DOESNT HAVE TO BE A WHOLE UNIT!!!

Make it just a portion or a small part of what you have going on

and allow for them to guide the learning.

It will give you some idea for (1) how well they do with the
flexibility and (2) some drop back and punt time for you.

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Exploration Curry/Samara

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The Challenge
Adapt just one topic or learning
target from just one of your
units coming up to the Project
Based Learning technique
Give it a chance and see what
happens!